Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-08-26
Dorcas Caledon,
YHE HEIRESS OF CALEDON HEIGHTS.
AN AUroBrOoRAPHV-
pr rLonENoE e. DIAMOND.
(oupriOlted, 1857. BY The 4. N Kellogg Rs'0'
paper CompanNl



paper Conpdnyl
CHAPTER VIII.
To add TO my discomfort at noon driz-
ding rain began to fall, and soon the wind
blew fiercely. So severe, indeed, became
the storm was forced 70 seek shelter in
wood where i remained the afternoon ano
night, wet, shivoring and nearly perishing
with cold and hunger. Tho storm cleared,
however, in the night, and the sun rose
bright and clear in tho morning. dragged
myself out Of the thicket where had lain,
and by great difficulty gained the high road
but / found could no longer continue my
tourney. My limbs nched, as did my head
while one moment was chilled to tho bono,
the noxt burning with fever. Lights danced
before my eyes, and l grew so faint and
Eddy could scarcely stand. Slowly creep
ing along thus l determined to stop at
neat white house by the road, and accord
ingly opening the gate crept slowly up
the walk.
"A sweet-faced lady was briskly opening
Tho shutters as came In. But sho paused
and uttered an exclamation when abe saw
mo, and no wonder, for more pitiable look
ing object could hardly have met your eyes
thnn was OF that moment
Ny clothes were wet and splashed with
mud; my hat hung limp ovor my disheveled
hair, and my shoes were in tatters. But
my failing strength made me regardless OF
looks. went to the window. TRIED to tell
the woman that i was weak, starving and
III, but my words mixed themselves up IN q
strange, confused manner. A mist came
before my eyes, and remembered nothing
more till awolce lying on lounge In
pleasant room with the kind face had seen
at the window bending over me, while she
bathed my head, rubbed my benumbed
hands and strove in every way TO arouse
me 10 Consciousness. Whom i had in q
measure recovered, she removed my outer
Rnrments, took of my soaked shoes and
stockings, and smoothed out my tangled
hair, her soft, gentle touch soothing some
what the burning pain in my head. She
asked me no questions; she merely accept
cd nv situation rs q matter OF course, and
81 had aroused her curiosity she did not ex'
press 1t.
She then brought me cup Of tea and Q
bit of toast, which she urged me TO eati but,
while drank the tea, could not touch the
toast, though / made several Intellectual at
tenipts TO do 30, wishing TO crafty my kind
benefactor.
nNcver mind eating it, child" she said.
seeing my attempts. "If you do not feel
like eating YOU had better not" And saw
tears In her soft blue eyes as she spoke.
sisho then conducted me TO q room, dis
robed me gently Us u mother might, and
tucked me in the softcst of bods and drew
the curtains TO shut out the light from my
aching eyes, and soon fell into troubled
sleep. remember awal1ing onco, but after
this came long blank, or rather dull con-
fused dream, in which in imagination ]
travelled hundreds Of miles, over toiling on
over stony roads and up steep and dizzy
heiqhts, or else scrambled through dense
thIckets, or was lost in tho labyrinth of deep
forests, or l walled by cool streams and
bubbling fountains, but not ono drop could
Iohtnin to Quench my burning thirst, and
ever before me was the face Of lrma Bar.
rett. saw the CLEAN Of her golden hair
and tho CLINT Of her blue eyes wherever ]
turned.
But these wero dreams only, fever dreams
that worried my brain, while the foyer that
ooursed through my frame burned unccas-
fngly until, compelled to die out for want Of
fuel, IL left me weak US an infant But, at
bonded as was by a skilled physician, and
watched over by Mrs. Kent flor that,
found, was her namol, with tho utmost
Bolicitudo, soon began TO grow better.
1t Ind been November whom fell i'll, but
II wns mid-winter whom, wrapped In Bhawls
crept 70 the window for the first time and
Rnzed out on the lcafless trees and brown
swinging vines In tho garden. But was
glad TO creep back again to the wirm-cush
ioncd chair by tho fire where Mrs Kent sa'
busily knitting, aud smiling ut my attonpta
Of walking.
But grew better rapidly. and was soon
able to lay aside invalid wraps and chairs.
One day when had grown Q.ito strong,
Mrs. Kent gently asked mo to tell her my
story, for she felt suro, she said, there was
something amiss or would net have beer
In such strait Without any hesitation
frankly told her my entjre history SO far a.
j knew 1t. OF my parents or thor antece
dents of course could not say, but lief
nothing untold; even my childish attach
ment TO Mr.. Dudley revealed, and my trus
IN his assistance in helping 70 unravcl the
mystery which felt sure surrounded inc
Then told Of his return, his cold words
his seeming Indifference, which broke my
heart, and made nc resolve 10 no Longer
be q dependent upon the bounty OF others.
Mrs. Kent sat Silent and thoughtful fol
some time after hearing my story. Ev
identity she was striving in her own mind x
arrive at some definite conclusion in 70
gard TO the matter. But she spoke at last
quietly, gently as ever.
,''Weil, my dear, l can not help thinking
perhaps you would have done better moi
70 have left 10 hastily: ut least, not until
you had seen and talked with this Mr.. bud
lev" she said. "Dut what Is done is done,
and we can not change IL. do not know
this family, though l have heard OF them;
but IL is likely that Mrs. Clayton and this
Miss Armund are connected by som secret
but II might DO and might not be for your
bencfit TO discover IL. However, wish row
10 talk Of yourself. We have boon brought
together under very strange circumstances.
can not help thinking that some good will
arise from It. Now, Dorcas, have plan
to propose. 1 am alone with the exception
Of Ann, tho servant girl. have no compan-
ION my two children Rro both married and
living abroad; my husband, Us l once told
you, died few months since. Therefore,
am very lonely. i should dearly love a
companion. / like You, Dorcas. You are
young and friendless. win you accept a
homo with metz
"lvould remain in paradise, II / couldf"
criod, falling down at her feet and laying
ny head in her lap In perfect transport Of
oy and thanlrfulness. Mrs. Kent, II !
,ver provo ungrateful for your kindness
nay / DO punished rs Deserve Surely there
no one as kind and good rs you"
Mrs. Kent smiled and Btrokod my hair
nth Dor white. shnpcly hand. 1T Is sottled